Crypto founder William Wu rattles the tin, again
William Wu’s third tour of the capital raise circuit in three years has eyebrows raised. Street Talk understands the crypto founder and Oaktree Capital alumnus is doing the rounds, this time seeking to raise $US5 million for a generative AI photography business.
This represents Wu’s third raise in three years for three different concepts. In December 2021, he picked up $77 million from VCs and institutional investors for his NFT-powered fantasy game Solchicks.
William Wu, founder of Catheon Gaming, SolChicks and now Artisse. AFR
Last year, he rattled the tin for a new crypto project called Catheon Gaming and hired investment bank Lazard to raise $US100 million ($156 million) for a Series A. Wu admitted to Street Talk that no funds were raised.
Now Wu is back with Artisse – a mobile app that allows users to generate artificial intelligence photos of themselves by uploading 15 selfies. The photos it spits out can be used on social media, dating profiles and professional service platforms. A 20-page pitch deck boasts strong reception since launching in August, with around 140,000 downloads.
Artisse also wants to get into the advertising industry, pitching itself as the “world’s first AI advertising and talent agency”. Wu told Street Talk Artisse AI had signed binding terms with a UK investor for up to $6.7 million but declined to disclose the name citing privacy reasons.
Artisse AI is Artisse Interactive’s consumer division, the brand under which Catheon Gaming also sits. SolChicks is part of the Catheon Gaming ecosystem. This information is not disclosed in the Artisse AI pitch, nor is the fact Wu is the chief executive of all three companies.
Wu told Street Talk he didn’t promote the linkage as the “AI consumer
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